Both players were allowed to leave Stamford Bridge on Monday on season-long loan deals, with Moses signing on at Liverpool, while Lukaku moved to their rivals Everton.

However, Mourinho has insisted that their exits were sanctioned for the good of their careers, rather than an indication that they are not wanted at Stamford Bridge.

"Of course in the last day there are always things to do and people to leave because we have to think about us, as a team, as a group and as a club," the London Evening Standard quotes the Portuguese coach as saying.

"We have also to think about the players individually, what is the best for them and what is the best for us in terms of the future. We were more than happy to keep Moses and Lukaku but we decided that it's better for the club and the future of the players if they go on loan."